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Sugarloaf students tackle bird feeders project

Sugarloaf Elementary School student Nathan Hoerz, with the guidance of Home Depot employees, builds bird feeders Thursday at the school.

Patrick Sullivan/Times-News

By Leigh KelleyTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 5:59 p.m.

Nathan Hoerz was the picture of concentration Thursday afternoon as he slid a piece of Plexiglas into the bird feeder he helped construct at Sugarloaf Elementary.

Looking pleased with himself, the third-grader announced that he enjoyed construction work.

“I've never built a bird feeder in my life,” he said. “Yeah, I feel like a real construction man. I want to have a construction party at my house.”

He was part of a group of special needs students who spent time working with Home Depot employees on the project. The Hendersonville business adopted Sugarloaf Elementary nearly a year ago, said Teresa Spoonholtz, store manager.

“We come out here about once a month,” she said, adding that the business helps with the school's backpack program to feed hungry students, and adopted the family of a student at Christmas. “The kids love to see us coming. They know what Home Depot is.”

The dozen students from grades three to five built birdhouses last year, Spoonholtz said. The birdhouses were placed throughout the school grounds so everyone could enjoy watching the birds.

Home Depot employees then decided it was time to build bird feeders so students could watch the birds eat, she said. The feeders will be mounted on shepherd hooks and placed around the school grounds.

Fifth-grader Trey Miller said he knew where he gets his construction ability, as he hammered nails into the sides of his bird feeder.

“My dad's a builder, so I probably got that from his side,” he said proudly.

The Home Depot projects provide a wonderful way for students to interact with people through a hands-on activity, said teacher Katrina Cook.

“I'm really excited that they have an opportunity to do something like this,” she added. “I think they will feel a real sense of pride seeing the bird feeders hanging around the school. It's good for them to have a hands-on project to do because it develops their motor skills and gives them a sense of accomplishment.”

<p>Nathan Hoerz was the picture of concentration Thursday afternoon as he slid a piece of Plexiglas into the bird feeder he helped construct at Sugarloaf Elementary. </p><p>Looking pleased with himself, the third-grader announced that he enjoyed construction work. </p><p>“I've never built a bird feeder in my life,” he said. “Yeah, I feel like a real construction man. I want to have a construction party at my house.”</p><p>He was part of a group of special needs students who spent time working with Home Depot employees on the project. The Hendersonville business adopted Sugarloaf Elementary nearly a year ago, said Teresa Spoonholtz, store manager.</p><p>“We come out here about once a month,” she said, adding that the business helps with the school's backpack program to feed hungry students, and adopted the family of a student at Christmas. “The kids love to see us coming. They know what Home Depot is.” </p><p>The dozen students from grades three to five built birdhouses last year, Spoonholtz said. The birdhouses were placed throughout the school grounds so everyone could enjoy watching the birds.</p><p>Home Depot employees then decided it was time to build bird feeders so students could watch the birds eat, she said. The feeders will be mounted on shepherd hooks and placed around the school grounds.</p><p>Fifth-grader Trey Miller said he knew where he gets his construction ability, as he hammered nails into the sides of his bird feeder.</p><p>“My dad's a builder, so I probably got that from his side,” he said proudly.</p><p>The Home Depot projects provide a wonderful way for students to interact with people through a hands-on activity, said teacher Katrina Cook.</p><p>“I'm really excited that they have an opportunity to do something like this,” she added. “I think they will feel a real sense of pride seeing the bird feeders hanging around the school. It's good for them to have a hands-on project to do because it develops their motor skills and gives them a sense of accomplishment.”</p><p>Reach Kelley at 828-694-7871 or leigh.kelley@blueridgenow.com.</p>